PARAS’10 Catterick took place on 3 September 2017 and was another huge success.

We were joined by just under 700 entrants, the majority of whom were tabbing the course with 35lb on their back. Our TAB winner, once again, was Tristan Steed. Tristan joined us in Colchester earlier in the year and set a new record for the fastest time round the Colchester course. He was just seconds off doing the same in Catterick, so will have to come back next year!

Congratulations to all our individual and team winners, as well as a big thank you for your continuing support of the event.

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This year marks the 10th PARAS’10 race at Catterick. Over the years, we have had over 10,000 people race at Catterick, over the course that our Paras must TAB during training before earning their maroon beret.

The Catterick course is the same one that recruits must TAB, with a 35lb bergan plus helmet and weapon, in under 1h 50 in order to be worthy of a maroon beret worn by The Parachute Regiment.

PARAS’10 is open to anyone over the age of 16 and entrants can run or TAB the course. We also have a Canicross option for those who like to race with their dogs!

On the 23rd May 2017 a Challenge Team embarked on a life defining journey. Their Goal was Simple, the Task, Monumental, the Reason, Inspirational.

Karl Rushen, long time supporter of SUPPORT OUR PARAS, founded The 100 Peaks Challenge a few years ago in memory of his brother Lloyd (Lloydy) who was KIA in Afghanistan 2011.

The Challenge started at Inverness in Scotland, on the 23.05.17, (the day Lloydy deployed on his last tour) and finished on Pen Y Fan on 16.06.17 (the day he was killed).

The Challenge was to run 100 Peaks in the UK, all above 610m (2000ft) – approx. 45 in Scotland, 25 in England (The Lake District), 1 on the Isle of Man and 29 in Wales (Snowdonia & The Brecon Beacons). The team began in Scotland, before heading across to the Isle of Man, crossing the Irish Sea in sea kayaks. They then crossed the Irish Sea for a second time back to the Isle of Whithorn to then cycle on to the Lakes. The final leg in Wales began in Snowdonia and culminated with cycling from Capel Curig to the Brecon Beacons finishing with the ‘Fan Dance’ at the Summit of Pen Y Fan.

The Challenge was a genuine attempt at something quite epic. It encompassed three disciplines that are demanding enough on their own, but are then thrown together in an extreme triathlon. This, with the logistics of attempting to summit 100 Peaks in 4 countries in 25 days, meant it was a first.

The 100 Peaks Challenge is raising money for SUPPORT OUR PARAS and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. You can still donate to Karl and his team, please visit their fundraising page.

This summer, a team of 4 Paras will take part in the Inferno Half Marathon in Switzerland. The team are raising money for SUPPORT OUR PARAS and The Alexander Fairey Memorial Fund (AFMF).

At 10.15am on 19th August 2017, the team from The Parachute Regiment will cross the start line in its attempt to complete the Inferno Half Marathon. The route is 13.1 miles long with a gain of 2,175m and must be completed in no more than 4 Hours and 15 minutes. Starting from Lauterbrunnen, 795m the course gains height as it winds its way through the Swiss Alpine villages finishing at the top of the iconic Schilthorn mountain, 2,970m. To make things that more challenging for the team, they will complete the course each carrying a bergen weighing 44lbs, a test of true airborne grit and determination; embodying the Regimental Ethos.

The AFMF was created in memory of Alexander Fairey, a Captain in the Parachute Regiment who served in both 2 and 3 PARA conducting operations in Northern Ireland and training for arctic warfare in Northern Norway. The aim of The Alexander Fairey Memorial Fund (AFMF) is to assist young soldiers and officers from both his former Regiments. The fund extends its reach to young people from Hampshire and the Test Valley in particular to pursue and benefit from the same challenging and character-building activities that Alex enjoyed so much. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Alex’s passing, making the event even more poignant.

The Parachute Regiment Charity

SUPPORT OUR PARAS is a charity which supports The Parachute Regiment through the welfare of serving soldiers and families and those affected by recent operations, and through the maintenance of its regimental efficiency, ethos, spirit and heritage.